Bluegrass is a music steeped in tradition, but over the past decade and a half — much of it spent on the road — Yonder Mountain String Band has spearheaded a renegade movement to rewrite the definition of the genre. Alongside other neo-bluegrass friends such as Leftover Salmon, Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, The Travelin’ McCourys, and Railroad Earth, YMSB has thoroughly revitalized and contemporized bluegrass and introduced it to many thousands of new fans. Rolling Stone said that YMSB “liberates bluegrass’ hot-shit riffing and blue-sky harmonies from its hidebound formalism,” while Paste Magazine wrote, “The Yonder Mountain boys have found a formula that works: take rootsy bluegrass influences, add in some rock ‘n’ roll, and seek out an adventurous audience.”

Yonder Mountain String Band is comprised of Adam Aijala (guitar, vocals), Dave Johnston (banjo, vocals), Ben Kaufmann (bass, vocals), and select special guest artists who will appear with the band throughout 2014 & 2015. Two standout musicians regularly performing live with YMSB are Jake Jolliff (mandolin, vocals) and Allie Kral (fiddle, vocals). Jolliff is an award-winning mandolin player (First Place, National Mandolin Championship 2012, Walnut Valley Festival), and was a founding member of the disbanded Americana outfit, Joy Kills Sorrow. Kral is well-known as the former fiddle player for Cornmeal (2003 – 2013), and she’s worked alongside various notable artists including moe., Railroad Earth, Warren Haynes, and others. For confirmed line-up information, please see the tour dates listed below.

With the band having one of the strongest touring bases in the industry, fans and critics alike have been drawn to both their live shows and singular studio albums. Reporting from the All Good Music Festival (2009), journalist Jarrett Bellini from CNN Showbiz Tonight notes, “The trophy for best musical set goes to Yonder Mountain String Band who, as the sun began to set, left it all on the stage for an hour and a half. The pickers from Colorado had the audience dancing and shaking, kicking up a joyful storm of dust into the cool summer sky.”

YMSB has evolved into something of a phenomenon on the concert and festival circuit. The band has sold out Colorado’s famed Red Rocks several times, and played sold-out shows with Grateful Dead and Furthur bassist Phil Lesh at his Terrapin Crossroads venue in August 2012. They also host three singular music festivals every year — Northwest String Summit (now in its 14th year and hosted by YMSB every year), Harvest Music Festival (where they will host for the sixth time in October 2015), and Strings & Sol (Yonder hosts for the third year-in-a-row in Mexico in December 2014) — and have consecutively sold out runs of shows at Telluride Bluegrass Festival year after year. Every other year, YMSB also hosts Kinfolk Festival @ Planet Bluegrass. In all, Yonder Mountain logs over 100 live dates per year.

Yonder has always played music by its own design. Bending bluegrass, rock and countless other influences, they’ve come to pioneer a sound that they alone could only champion. With a traditional lineup of instruments, they may appear to be a traditional bluegrass band at first glance but they’ve taken the customary old-timey instrumentation to new heights, transcending any single genre. Yonder has become a regular performer at major music festivals like the iconic Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Summer Camp, and DelFest as well as massive multi-stage events like Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits Festival.

YMSB is currently working on a new full-length studio recording; fans can expect a new album to be released in 2015.

Dank, formerly Dank Sinatra, has announced the release of a new self-titled album that will be available on Tuesday, February 3 via CDBaby, iTunes, Spotify and other online download and streaming outlets. In support of the new album, Dank will embark on a winter tour of the Southeast US kicking off January 23 in Georgia.

Dank is the next installment in what is a long and storied history of Rock and Roll music. Combining rhythm and blues tradition with a modern sense of urgency and experimentation, Dank is pulling Rock music into the 21st century as it was meant to be heard and experienced.

With energetic and unpredictable live performances, as well as a knack for the studio and all of its wizardry, this Atlanta five-piece is showing fans what it takes to rock in the torrid seas of a post-Napster musical climate. It’s hard to pin down exactly what the Dank will become, or how far the band has come to get to where it is today, but at the core of this outfit is a red hot soul and a burning sense of modern day Rock and Roll magic.

Dank(the album), is concrete evidence of this Atlanta five-piece’s ability to put together an album that rewards both the close listening enthusiast and the quick trip YouTube-ist.

With feet firmly on the ground in clever hooks and melodies, along with an interstellar spin wrought by Producer Scott Nicholas, Dank is an album written over the last year by a band in between cities. The resulting work exhibits growth and movement, roots being lifted from their foundations, and a feverous excitement towards a future unknown.

Songs like the album opener “Crash the Door” mark a conscious stylistic effort by the band to claim new ground in the stale world of modern rock, and to stake their claim as ambassadors to a modern era of rock and roll music. Space age synth leads and effects, southern rock craftsmanship, scorching dual guitar leads, and experimental transitions and song structure are the name of the game here.

As their most focused effort yet, Dank provides the listener with a complete experience and an invitation to follow along for the journey to come.

The original Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival(Now Virginia Key Grassroots Festival) began in 1990 as a benefit concert to support a local AIDS organization in Ithaca, NY. Encouraged by the success of that night, a decision was made to create an annual festival dedicated to raising money for the fight against AIDS, while supporting arts and education. With the help of countless volunteers, the Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival has become an internationally-recognized event with a focus on traditional and contemporary roots music and dance from all over the world. For four days every July, the festival hosts more than 60 performing groups on four stages at the Trumansburg Fairgrounds in central New York, near the university town of Ithaca.

Twelve years later, the Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival was launched on a 75-acre farm in rural North Carolina near the triangle cities of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Twice a year, in April and October, thousands of people attend the event to revel in great music, sweat it out on the dance floor, celebrate the arts, and build community. The site has since become the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, a non-profit organization created to strengthen the community through music, arts and education.

The festival is down south for the winter once again, having found an amazing site, the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, just off the coast of Miami, FL. It’s the ideal spot for the fourth annual season Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival.

This year, the non-profit Virginia Key GrassRoots Festival was awarded a $75,000 matching grant through The Knight Arts Challenge, in recognition of the dynamic support they provide to the arts community of South Florida, as well as the world class music they bring to the citizens and visitors that attend the festival. The Knight Arts Challenge Grant validates the work of the festival, which strives to grow community using the magnets of music, art and dance.

New for 2015, the GrassRoots Culture Camp will predate the festival itself, running Sunday, February 15th through Wednesday, February 18th, featuring yoga, instrument and cooking workshops, and more, ending each night with a daily family-style dinner and dance. Think beachside camping coupled with innovative workshops led by some of the GrassRoots Family’s greatest talent(How awesome does that sound?).

The festival will also feature the Zen Village Healing Arts area, the Kids Village, the Sustainability Fair and Expo, band and instrument contests, the Beer Garden & Vinyl Lounge, the GrassRoots World Café, live art, craft vendors, daily yoga session, beach camping and more.

Holy Ship!—the mecca of all EDM festivals (land and sea) is just a few short days away. On January 3rd, I, Lisa Ansteth, embark on what is bound to be one of the single greatest experiences of my life. Departing from the port of Miami on the beautiful MSC Divina, the 3-night, 4-day Bahamas cruise ship is heading back to the island from the original sailing—Holy Ship!—Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, plus the addition of an entire full day at sea!

Before heading out to sea, the official pre-parties set up before each sailing are just a taste of what’s to come. On January 2, catch back-to-back sets from Justin Martin and Dusky, Gorgon City and Kidnap Kid, Alex Metric and Oliver, and Sharam Jey with Shiba San in Room 1. Then on February 17, Bauuer, Jack Beats, Destructo, Milo Otis and AC Slater take over. In Room 2, The Buntings will be hosting their yearly “Officially Un-Official ShipFam Pre Party.” This room will consist of ShipFam DJs, Holy Ship passengers who are also DJs. You really don’t want to miss this kickoff to the greatest weekend and if you were unable to score a token onto the ship, don’t fret because anyone is able to attend the pre-parties. Tickets are very limited, so act quick! Click here for more information and to purchase your ticket before it’s too late!

I have been told that there really are no words, photographs, videos or songs that can even come close to explain what Holy Ship and the ShipFam community is all about, this coming from a virgin of the entire experience. After being a fly on the wall of the Facebook groups’ community for the last couple years, I finally found the moment when my money and an available spot in a cabin crossed paths and I jumped on the ship as quickly as possible.

The reality of what I have gotten myself into is officially starting to hit me: e-tickets have begun to arrive to passenger email inboxes and ship activities hosted by the artists themselves have been officially announced. In addition, the official themes have been released: prom night on day 2 and pajama party for day/night 3. Don’t think that there are plenty of other themed outfits to be had. From ninjas to mermaids, space to pizza, the costumes on board are guaranteed to blow minds. I cannot wait to see what I capture with my camera.

With previous lineups including the likes of Claude VonStroke, Knife Party, Fatboy Slim, Griz, Zedd, Skrillex, Dillon Francis, Boys Noize, A-Trak, Justin Martin, Laidback Luke and many more of the industry greats, the HARDfather Gary Richards (AKA Destructo) made sure the 2015 lineups are certainly on point yet again. January, although missing a few OG favorites, is still just as stacked as before. Justin Martin, Laidback Luke, Boyz Noize, A-Trak and more are back to bring the OG vibes for the virgins and veterans aboard. Not to mention the rumors for the surprise artists are already swirling with some favorites from past years and new inductees to the Holy Ship family.

Set times were delivered to emails and posted via their social media outlets just in time for Christmas morning. An unbelievably incredible job put together by Gary and the team is leaving everyone in the Facebook groups buzzing. On Saturday, after the safety drill and we set sail to the open seas, Annie Mac presents Brits Aboard in the Black and White room with Hannah Wants, Gorgon City, Dusky, and many more! Lest not we forget Pretty Lights on the pool deck followed by Griz and Shiba San and Gina Turner B2B Laidback Luke in the Galaxy Disco.

On Sunday, the day of music that will surely rival any festival around world, the music goes from 11:00am on the island, all the way through to Destructo’s Sermon Sunrise Set from 5:30am to 8:30am. That’s just 21 and a half hours of nonstop music! I literally can’t even. The private island party is set to have Busy P, Duke Dumont and flume, followed by a B2B with Arman Van Helden and our first special guest set. Back on the boat, A-Trak’s Fool’s Gold Rap Party, Boys Noize’s BNR & Friends, pool deck sets by Knife Party, Laidback Luke. But whatever you do, if you are lucky enough to be going on the ship, do not miss the Destructo sermon sunrise set. I repeat, DO NOT MISS THE DESTRUCTO SERMON SUNRISE SET.

Monday is not to be forgotten about given that it is the first ever Day at Sea with music from 11:00am – 4:30am. Starting the music off on the pool deck at 11:00am is Teki Latex followed by Shiba San. The Hip Hop Party at the Zen Pool & Garden Bar hosted by Tommy Kruise kicks off at 1:00pm and is stacked all day long. The other special guest spot will be on the pool deck at 8:00pm so that is another must-see set especially with Justin Martin followed directly behind that. You know where I will be! With an amazing unexpected B2B2B2B2B2B last year in the Disco, Destructo & Friends will be busy B2B’ing it all night long for round 2. Can next week get here fast enough yet?

For the artist-hosted activities, everyone is guaranteed to have an action packed week, getting to know their favorite artists on a whole new level. Yogi, DJ, and wife of Laidback Luke, Gina Turner, is back for two yoga classes, both on the boat and on the island on day two. Some other awesome activities include Laidback Luke who is also back with his kung-fu lessons, Henry Fong is hosting Holy Aquatics Olympics, Scratch master A-Trak and special guest Boys Noize will be teaching some of their moves with DJ Lessons, not to mention flip cup and Texas Hold-Em tournaments!

In addition to amazing music, activities and scenery, Holy Ship also has created a charity organization called Positive Legacy in a successful attempt to give back to the communities that the ship visits. Organized in 2004, Positive Legacy has been able to support the Caribbean community such as the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Caymen Islands, Belize, Haiti, the Bahamas plus many more. With assistance in the form of over 125,000 trees planted, 12,000 shoes and 50 laptops donated, and giving people access to clean drinking water, the good vibes that begin on the ship create a ripple effect throughout that can be felt way beyond the few short days we will be on board. For more information visit their website and see how you can help!

Holy Ship January and February are both sold out, and for January, name changes have been closed for a couple weeks now. However, if you scour the Facebook groups for February, there are still a few people trying to sell spots before the January 7th deadline. Act quick and you may get the chance of a lifetime in February!

After what many are calling the best year in the festival’s lifespan in 2014, The Do LaB is excited to return to the beautiful San Antonio Recreation Area. The last two LIBs have been held in new locations, so The Do LaB is excited about returning to the same location, which will allow them to build and improve off of last year’s efforts.

Tickets go on sale on Monday, January 5th at 10AM for the Rush-n-Get-Em 24-hour ticket window starting at $235 for the full weekend pass. Up-And-At-Em tickets go on sale the day after for $260. Purchasing tickets now is the best way to secure one of the limited car camping, boutique camping or lightning bus spots.

The Do LaB is excited for what promises to be an amazing 10th year of existence. Just last week, it was announced that IS050(Scott Hansen of Tycho) will be the lead visual designer for LiB 2015. ISO50 will have his clean, colorful touch on everything from the website to the lineup flyer.

Lightning in a Bottle just released their first image from IS050, who was given a blank canvas to showcase his unique design style and preview what is to come for next year’s festival. IS050’s design was built off a photo from photographer and friend Daniel Zetterstrom, whose photo was selected for its focus on individual experiences within a communal setting that has come to embody LiB. Also, the water pail that one of the characters is holding signifies the festival’s connection to the environment and its role to improve/educate California amid the drought.

ISO50 also produces music under the name Tycho, creating dreamy atmospheric music that has garnered admiration from music critics and fans across the globe, highlighted by the release of one of 2014’s most standout albums, “Awake.”

The Do LaB has been a fan of Scott Hansen’s work, both musically and visually, for years and after performing at LiB as Tycho for the first time in 2013 Hansen immediately fell in love with the festival. In his own words:

“A lot of my friends have been going to LIB for years and I’ve always wanted to go. When we finally got a chance to play the festival I immediately felt a sense of community that was very inspiring. When LIB contacted me about designing some images for them it seemed like a perfect opportunity to apply the aesthetic I’ve been developing for Tycho to a physical space. I was really inspired by the images my friend, photographer Daniel Zetterstrom, had captured of the event the year prior and set about incorporating them into a sort of idealized vision of what a gathering of people around art and music could be. I tried to create images that felt less literal and more like the memories people would take away from the event.”

This year’s Boxing Day benefit will feature a Keller solo set and then Keller getting super funky with his “More than a Little” project.

A pre-show VIP experience will be available as an upgrade to GA ticket holders or you can just snag the VIP tix from the get-go. VIP tickets include a meet and greet with Keller complete with Hot Toddies (to warm your body), and tasty treats from local eatery FoodE, whose co-owner and chef recently returned from a stint on Bravo’s hit cooking show Top Chef.

This show will benefit the Fredericksburg SPCA and partiers who bring a donation of dog or cat food will receive a free KW sticker. You can also check out their wishlist here.

We at HYPE think its pretty safe to say, that Bear Creek Music & Arts Festival, is the best funk, jam, fusion festival in the nation and maybe even the world. This is for a good number of reasons.

For starters, the festival grounds, The Spirit of Suwannee Music Park, is gorgeous and spiritually magical. Live Oak trees tower over the stages and campgrounds. The SOSMP is a natural wonderland vibrating with spiritual energy.

Second, the music at Bear Creek is always top notch. The producers of this particular festival really do a stunning job each year selecting the perfect acts. Each year though, the true highlights come with the interactions between the bands and the artists on stage and with the crowd. Everyone literally plays with everyone and everyone mingles with everyone, but trust me, its like nothing you’ve ever experienced. Unless you’ve been to a Bear Creek.

And third, the most amazing thing about Bear Creek, is every single beautiful smiling face that attends, puts on and performs at BC. The people are simply incredible. There always seems to be a common alliance of love and good vibes at Bear Creek. There was certainly no shortage of that this year.

This year HYPE sent staff photographer Romy Santos up to Suwannee to cover Bear Creek. Check out his amazing images below and like his page here.